In a year when it seemed like just about everything could go wrong, a few things did go right. Thanks to 48 regional coordinators and 1,347 volunteers, Maine Audubon’s Annual Loon Count was one of them. They overcame many hurdles in order to complete the annual snapshot census of Maine’s loon population that takes place […]
Loons
Lead Tackle Buy Back Program Off to Great Start
There’s nothing more iconic than the haunting call of a Common Loon. But loons are way more than just icons. The loon’s dependence on clear, clean water and healthy fish populations makes it an important biological indicator, and long-term studies have shown that lead poisoning from the ingestion of lead fishing tackle is one of […]
Notes on the 2020 Loon Count!
This year marked the thirty-seventh straight year that Maine Audubon has engaged volunteers, early in the morning on the third Saturday of July, to count loons on lakes across the state. The 2020 Maine Annual Loon Count stands out in this long-running tradition for a few reasons. Falling this year on the 200th day of […]
Maine Audubon Annual Loon Count Set for July 18
Nothing says summer in Maine more than the evocative tremolo call of a loon. And now that summer is officially here, it’s time to take stock of our loon population once more, in one of Maine Audubon’s signature events: the annual Loon Count.� This year, the 37th annual count will take place on Saturday, July […]
Connections: Living with Loons
Summer is almost here and school (as we’ve recently known it) will be done soon.� For many people, summer in Maine means spending time in or near water.� With over 6,000 lakes and ponds to choose from, perhaps you’ll be finding yourself in the habitat of one of Maine’s most iconic bird species: the Common […]
2020 Rangeley Birding Festival — The Presentations!
We were heartbroken to have to cancel the second annual Rangeley Birding Festival this year, but couldn’t just let it go. So, the organizers decided to take things virtual. With only a few weeks to prepare, we assembled a great team with a simple goal: celebrate the incredible birds and birding in the Rangeley area. […]
New Lead Tackle Buy-Back Program Helps Loons
If you are planning to go fishing this spring or summer, now is a great time to clean out your tackle box. When you do, be sure to get the lead out. Not only will you be helping wildlife, you’ll also get ten dollars toward new tackle. Lead poisoning is a leading cause of death […]
Swap Your Lead for New Fishing Tackle!
Since we all have a bit more time at home these days, why not get the lead out of your tackle boxes? Beginning April 1, Maine Audubon and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are partnering with local retailers to provide $10 store vouchers to anglers who turn in at least one ounce of […]
Results of the 2019 Loon Count
For the 36th year in a row, community scientists all over Maine ventured onto their local lakes and ponds on the third Saturday in July this year to count Common Loons. In total, 1, 414 people participated in the count this year (up from 1,350 in 2018), covering 292 lakes. Click here to see images, […]